As Oakmont Country Club prepares for the 2025 U.S. Open, all eyes in the golf world are on Southwestern Pennsylvania. WQED has produced new documentary, “Steel Links,” to bring together Pittsburgh’s industrial history, its legacy of golf and some of the city’s most iconic faces.

Brad Turkel, the creator and executive producer of “Steel Links,” has a history with combining sports with local storytelling.

“I’ve been creating and producing documentaries for several years, and I’ve always had a special interest in sports docs,” he said.

Last year, he produced a documentary about Pinehurst Resort, the North Carolina golf course where the U.S. Open was held.

“That was my first documentary that used a major sporting event as kind of a jumping-off point to discuss and to get into other subjects,” he said. “I really enjoyed that because it wasn’t just a ‘sports doc.’”

The success of this first project, which aired last year on PBS, was a template for future projects of its kind. “Steel Links” will premiere on WQED on June 10 — and will show at the Lindsay Theater on Sunday, June 8 and Monday, June 9.

“Steel Links” examines the connections between Oakmont, Pittsburgh, the steel industry and sports. The film includes former Steelers coach Bill Cowher, former Steeler Charlie Batch, rapper Wiz Khalifa, native Pittsburgher and former Pittsburgh Pirate Neil Walker and more. Walker will be at the screening at The Lindsay on June 8 for a post-show Q&A.

“If you’re interested in golf, there’s enough golf in there where it will be compelling to you,” Turkel said. “But I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the other direction it goes in. I think that for the broader audience, they’ll learn a little about golf that they might not have known, but they’re really going to be excited to discover the other stories that we unveil.”

Many of those stories revolve around Pittsburgh’s most famous industry.

“Kind of my North Star when I was developing the idea was I would look at the steel,” he said.

While Turkel is from Connecticut, his wife was born and raised in the region, a connection that remains strong wherever they go.

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“I have been to Pittsburgh several times over the years. I feel very connected to Pittsburgh, and frankly, this is the first time that people in her family are finally interested in what I’m doing,” he laughed.

They filmed the documentary at Oakmont Country Club, where the U.S. Open will begin on June 12.

“The folks at Oakmont were very supportive of it,” he said. “And everyone that we dealt with — and I think it really speaks to how people feel about Pittsburgh — when they heard what we were doing, wanted to jump on board. And that’s unusual. I think that speaks to the city itself and the people from Pittsburgh, even if they moved away, you can’t take the Pittsburgh out of it.”

When you’re talking golf and Western Pennsylvania, you have to talk about golf legend Arnold Palmer. Turkel did say that Palmer’s story shows up in the doc, especially in segments with fellow golfer and Western Pennsylvanian Rocco Mediate.

“Steel Links” also includes conversation with Carol Semple Thompson, a Sewickley native and well-known golfer in her own right.

“We are thrilled to host the public premiere of WQED’s Steel Links. The film pays homage to this region’s industrial legacy, while also highlighting Pittsburgh’s rapidly growing profile as a tech-forward city with passions for culture and sports. Its particular focus on golf’s deep roots in Pittsburgh make it an ideal tailgating opportunity prior to the U.S. Open in Oakmont,” said Carolina Pais-Barreto Thor, CEO of The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center.

After WQED posted a trailer for the new documentary, Turkel said that engagement online was overwhelming. “I think it really hit a nerve,” Turkel said.

“Steel Links” will show at The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center in Sewickley on June 8 at 5 p.m. and June 9 at 7 p.m. For tickets and information, visit thelindsaytheater.org.

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